Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Franklin Library: Sunday hours start Sep 7th

The monthly book sales have successfully enabled the Franklin Library to add Sunday hours. They will open from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM on Sundays from September to May.

Franklin Library: Sunday hours - 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Franklin Library: Sunday hours - 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM

This was re-shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/08/new-sunday-hours.html


Franklin Library open hours

  • Monday - Thursday -- 9 AM to 8 PM
  • Friday and Saturday -- 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Sundays 1:30 PM to 5 PM (Sept - May)
  • Closed Holidays
Find our more information about the Library on their webpage here

Consumer affairs and Boston Harbor islands

Two quick links to share from the MA.gov blogs.

1 - Top consumer affairs complaints

The MA Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations published a listing of the top complaints they receive and resources to help resolve them.

Last month, the Consumer Federation of America published a list of their top ten consumer complaints. In it, they named many of the issues that the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations keeps consumers informed about, ranging from auto complaints to fraud and scams. 
The Office of Consumer Affairs also releases an annual list of the Top 5 Massachusetts Consumer Issues. In 2013, our top five issues were related to insurance, auto, telephone service, cable service, and home improvement contractors.
Chances Are, You’ve Had to Deal with One of These 5 Consumer Issues

Chances Are, You’ve Had to Deal with One of These 5 Consumer Issues



Continue reading the article here
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/chances-are-youve-had-to-deal-with-one-of-these-5-consumer-issues/


2 - Plan a day trip to one of the islands in Boston Harbor

Looking for a fun day trip for you and possibly your family? Look no further, the Boston Harbor Islands are the place to be. Lots of events take place on these islands during the summer months, so enjoy these festivities while they are here! 
Spectacle Island has five miles of beautiful hiking, a cafĂ©, a visitor center with exhibits and a sandy swimming beach. It is also home to the highest point in the harbor with spectacular views. To get there, hop on the ferry at Long Wharf-North in Boston. While you are at Spectacle Island, enjoy a swim at a lifeguarded beach. If swimming isn’t your thing, Spectacle Island has a marina with day and overnight slips to tie your boat up. So, boat on over to the island and enjoy the serenity.
Plan a Day Trip – Right in Boston Harbor!

Plan a Day Trip – Right in Boston Harbor!



Continue reading the article here
http://blog.mass.gov/greatoutdoors/education/boston-harbor-islands/

You can also go direct to the Boston Harbor Islands webpage here
http://www.bostonharborislands.org/

In the News: wiffle ball, downtown parking


Though the day was filled with fun, laughter, music and Wiffle ball, Michelle Adiletto called the day an emotional one.Even as she watched her son, Dylan, 14, dig in to try to hit a Wiffle ball over the heads of the fielders, all she could think of was how much her husband would have enjoyed the day. 
The Second Annual Random Smile Wiffle Ball Tournament was in honor of Adiletto's husband, Danny, who passed away June 7, 2013.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140816/NEWS/140817309/1994/NEWS



In Franklin, the Town Council is considering removing downtown parking meters and changing parking restrictions in an attempt to bring more customers to area restaurants and shops, said Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting. 
Earlier this month, Nutting requested the council eliminate the meters in favor of a new two-hour parking policy during the week, which he hopes will bring more traffic downtown. 
"Thursday, Friday and Saturday night the place is jammed," he said. "Part of the plan is to better utilize existing spaces." 
Nutting also proposed limiting the hours for commuter rail parking and creating permits to sell to area business owners.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140817/NEWS/140817314/1994/NEWS


Monday, August 18, 2014

Middle School and High School Handbooks

The handbooks were reviewed by the School Committee as part of the Aug 12th meeting. The handbook copies can be found here for each school. The official copy should be posted to each school website soon.

Annie Sullivan
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczOG9zeUZBZEEtWGM/edit?usp=sharing

Horace Mann
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczd1M4UHhWUlk1bUU/edit?usp=sharing

Remington
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczUUt3TTlMRkpZbVE/edit?usp=sharing



Franklin High School
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczNmVkZjBIWExtcU0/edit?usp=sharing


main entrance to new Franklin High School
main entrance to new Franklin High School


Elementary School Handbooks

The handbooks were part of the School Committee meeting Tuesday Aug 12.

The updated versions will soon be available on the individual school websites.

ECDC
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRzBaQjB5emdSYzA/edit?usp=sharing

Davis Thayer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczY3JVd2pGTWtvMGs/edit?usp=sharing

Jefferson
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhcza19GUjBueXdZcmc/edit?usp=sharing

Keller
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczTW1iN3VMMEpnbGs/edit?usp=sharing

Kennedy
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczendybFFodlkxajQ/edit?usp=sharing

Oak St
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczMDdZbmlRSlVXV1E/edit?usp=sharing

Parmenter
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczYld3R1lsUFVTRXM/edit?usp=sharing


the interior courtyard of the new FHS
the interior courtyard of the new FHS

Franklin Library: Whalemobile and Liquid Nitrogen

What do you get when you mix a whalemobile and liquid nitrogen? 

Not sure that I would like to find out. Fortunately, the combination won't occur at the library as the whalemobile is scheduled for Friday afternoon and the liquid nitrogen demonstrations are scheduled for Friday morning.

Additional details can be found in the flyers for each event shown here

liquid nitrogen demonstrations
liquid nitrogen demonstrations
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/08/liquid-nitrogen-demonstrations.html


whalemobile
whalemobile

http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/08/whalemobile.html

Sunday, August 17, 2014

FHS to open with more students

The new Franklin High School is slated to open with about 1,719 students as of the enrollment at the end of July. You may recall that the school year ended with a student population in the old school building of only 1,624.

community entrance to the new FHS for gym and auditorium access
community entrance to the new FHS for gym and auditorium access


The school population across the district has dropped again to 5,628 down from 5,778 at the end of June.

You can view the full enrollment details by grade by school across the district comparing June 2014 to July 2014 here




The major drop in the district population is found in the elementary levels. Recall that the major recession started in late 2008. The decline in students now is likely due to a decline in births given the uncertain economy.

Franklin Sculpture Park (video)

A recent sunny summer Saturday I talk a walk through the Franklin Sculpture Park to record this video.




The formal ribbon cutting ceremony to open the park will be held Wednesday, Aug 27th at 5:00 PM

(Note: I did say the ribbon cutting is at 4:00 the second time I mention it as the video comes to a close. That is an error.

8/18/14 - someone else with sharp ears caught me saying it is next to the 'fire' station instead of the police station. How that happens, I have no idea! Thanks for the catch!)


A posting from July with links to earlier posts on the Sculpture Park
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/more-art-at-sculpture-park.html

Fallen Heroes Series - Remembering

When I shared the picture from the Boston Sports Club to Facebook earlier this week, I realized that it was 'only' last year that I had posted the Fallen Heroes Series. Rhode Island, where I happen to be working, remains the only state to celebrate VJ Day or Victory Day, marking the end of World War II.





I also realized that there have been so many new subscribers in the past year that it would be worthwhile to re-share the link. So without further ado:

From wikipedia:
Although September 2 is the designated V-J Day in the entire United States, the event is recognized as an official holiday only in the U.S. state of Rhode Island, where the holiday's official name is "Victory Day",[20] and it is observed on the second Monday of August. There have been several attempts in the 1980s and 1990s to eliminate or rename the holiday on the grounds that it is discriminatory. While those all failed, the Rhode Island General Assembly did pass a resolution in 1990 "stating that Victory Day is not a day to express satisfaction in the destruction and death caused by nuclear bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki."[21] It is instead commemorative of those who fought, as Rhode Island sent a significantly above-average percentage of its population into the Pacific theater.    
To recognize the Franklin Fallen heroes from World War II, I'll be sharing their information this week. 
Thanks to Rose Turco for putting it together to recognize them and for allowing me to share this with you.


What is the Fallen Heroes Series?
A description of each of the street signs that are found around Franklin to acknowledge the individual who lived near there and gave his life in either World War II or the Vietnam War.


Cpl John J Kell - Raymond St
Cpl John J Kell - Raymond St

Note: There have been some additions to the signs to recognize those individuals from Afghanistan and Iraq but their info is not included in here at this time.



You can find the complete listing here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html


Saturday, August 16, 2014

Franklin Library: Book Sale - Sat/Sun

Friendly reminder: the August edition of the monthly Library Book Sale happens this weekend.
  • Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
  • Sunday the bag sale occurs from 9:00 AM to noon.

Library Book Sale - Aug 16-17
Library Book Sale - Aug 16-17

This was re-shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/08/library-book-sale.html

Pour Richard’s: A Very Special 'Farmer's Market' - Aug 23



Basic store logo
Connecting good friends with great wine!
Never Drink Ordinary!

'Farm to Table, Farm to Glass'
Saturday, August 23
1-4 PM


Mark your calendars, because it doesn't get any better than this. How do we love this event? Let us count the ways...

1) It all starts with an Akin Bak Farm farmstand, set up in our parking lot for the day. All that gorgeous fresh produce, and honey, too!

2) Corey Bunnewith creating fabulous Farm to Glass cocktails melding his delicious liquors and liqueurs with Akin Bak's fresh produce. He'll be making Smashes, Sours, and a whole lot more. Demonstration and tasting samples, with recipes to take home! He may also have some exclusive news/presells for his new distillery....hint, hint.

3) George Schwarz pouring wonderful Italian wines from his company, Kimera Imports. Nero d'Avola, Lacrima Christi Bianco and Rosso, a Valpolicella Ripasso. What is Capel del Prete? Have you ever had a Susumaniello? Come and taste for yourself.


4) As if all that were not enough, La Campania Ristorante of Waltham is bring a mobile wood-fired Neapolitan brick pizza oven. They'll use Akin Bak's produce, plus meats and cheeses, to create flatbread-style pizzas in the image of Napoli. That's the oven in the picture above...you can almost taste the chewy goodness!

 


Help us celebrate the end-of-summer bounty. Bring your appetite and sense of adventure. (Leave any preconceptions about veggies at home.)



 



Never Drink Ordinary! -Ann and John
Please share this email with friends who are enthusiastic about great wine, beer, and spirits. (Keeping all the good stuff for yourself is bad karma.)

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Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits | 14 Grove Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

New poems on the T



Dietz, Hoffman, Marchant on the T
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August poems on the T

 

We are happy to announce that three new poems went up on the red line this week. Over the next four weeks, keep an eye out for "Pluto" by Maggie Dietz, "Rising" by Richard Hoffman, and "A Place at the Table" by Fred Marchant. Don't forget to take a #PoeTrySelfie!

"Pluto" by Maggie Dietz
"Rising" by Richard Hoffman
"A Place at the Table" by Fred Marchant
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Schedule Information for the Franklin line can be found here
http://mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/?route=FRANKLIN

Friday, August 15, 2014

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 8/15/14 - THU 8/21/14

FRI 8/15  12-6pm   Farmers Market at Franklin Common
FRI 8/15   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center

SAT 8/16   8am-12pm   2nd Annual Wiffle Ball Tournament - Random Smile Project. Register HERE
SAT 8/16   9am-4pm   Book Sale at Franklin Public Library. Music by Emma Newton 9-10am, Betty Kushner 2-3pm.

SUN 8/17   8am   Yoga on the beach - free event at Beaver Pond, Franklin
SUN 8/17   9am-12pm   Bag Sale at Franklin Public Library, fill up a brown bag for only $5
SUN 8/17  11:30am  Annual FYBO Bill Capen Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament Info Here

MON 8/18   4-7pm   Farmer’s Market at Whole Foods Plaza in Bellingham
MON 8/18   6:30pm   Family PJ Storytime at Franklin Public Library.

WED 8/20   3pm   Sciencetellers: Dragons and Dreams at Franklin Public Library
WED 8/20   6pm   Concerts on the Common in Franklin: DJ Mike Rutkowski
WED 8/20   7pm   Franklin Solar Challenge Kick-Off Meeting, Town Council Chambers


For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Labor Day 2014: Min Wage to Rise but Challenges Remain



MassBudget   Information.
  Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center  Democracy.


LABOR DAY 2014:
Minimum Wage to Rise but Challenges Remain 

When we celebrate Labor Day this fall, we will be able to celebrate a meaningful step towards building an economy that works for everyone. Because our state is raising the minimum wage, hundreds of thousands of working people in Massachusetts, and their families, will have a little more economic security. Raising the wages of these low wage workers can also improve overall economic conditions as their families will be able to spend more in the local economy.

In Labor Day 2014: Minimum Wage to Rise but Challenges Remain we examine the trends that are shaping the economic lives of working people in Massachusetts. Across the nation, for several decades, we have been drifting away from having an economy that promotes broadly shared prosperity: while productivity has increased, wages for too many workers have not; while income has grown overall, very little of that income growth has gone to low and middle income families. 

Many of the challenges we face require national solutions. But there are things we can do right here in Massachusetts, as we saw with the minimum wage increase. We can expand access to high quality education and training - from early education for three and four year olds to ongoing workforce training for adults. We can also improve working conditions for everyone - with policies such as earned paid sick time that would allow workers who are sick or need to care for a sick child to be able to do so without missing a day's pay or risking being fired.

Labor Day 2014: Minimum Wage to Rise but Challenges Remain, examines troubling trends over the past several decades. It also describes effective policies that could move our Commonwealth towards a future with greater economic opportunity and security for people in every community in state.

To read the report, click HERE



The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER
15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Blackstone River Theatre - Ireland's Brock McGuire Band Saturday!!



CC HEADER A


 

THANK YOU!
This year's Solstice Fest was our biggest yet... stay tuned for more on the 2015 festival! 


                   
Ongoing  
Zumba with April Hilliker on Mondays, 6:30 PM

  
Sunday, Sept. 14, 7 PM 
CASSIE & MAGGIE MACDONALD / BRENDAN CAREY BLOCK BAND

Saturday, Sept. 20, 8 PM 
THE ALT (JOHN DOYLE, NUALA KENNEDY and EAMON O'LEARY)

Sunday, Sept. 21, 7 PM 
ALASDAIR FRASER
and NATALIE HAAS

Saturday, Sept. 27, 8 PM 
THE BOHEMIAN QUARTET

Saturday, October 4, 8 PM 
NORTH SEA GAS

Saturday, October 11, 8 PM 
TANNAHILL WEAVERS

Friday, October 17, 8 PM 
Väsen - 25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR!

Saturday, October 25, 8 PM 
PADDY KEENAN 
 
Quick Links...
BRT Website    

Join Our Mailing List!

Tickets often available at door but to ensure a seat
CALL

FOR
RESERVATIONS
401-725-9272

Please understand that when a show is SOLD OUT, it truly is! We must adhere to fire codes and it truly is not possible to fit "just one more"... especially when we have had several people ask to do the same!

If a show at BRT has an advance price & a day-of-show price it means:
If you pre-pay OR call in your reservation any time before the show date, you get the advance price. If you show up at the door with no reservations OR call in your reservations on the same day as the show, you will pay the day-of show-price.


NOTE for prepaid tickets
or if reservations have been made but not pre-paid:
If you reduce the number of tickets requested or paid for at the box office on the night of the performance, that ticket must still be paid for! BRT requires 24 hour notice for cancellations or you will be charged for all seats reserved.
Dear Steve,

Hello all! It's been awhile but I hope you have all been having an amazing summer of music, dance and fun...

BRT has taken most of the summer off after our amazing Solstice Festival (the biggest yet) but many classes have still been ongoing and we are currently doing a lot of the behind-the-scenes work... renovations, painting, gardening, redoing the floors etc... And look for a brand-new parking lot and front walkway this Fall!

But FIRST, we are really excited to bring to you a rare summer concert at BRT... direct from Ireland, we will present THE BROCK MCGUIRE BAND this Saturday... named Ireland's Instrumental band of the decade by Irish American News... don't miss their Rhode Island debut!

Lots of classes coming up soon and I'm not kidding...we have a KILLER Fall lineup planned for you! Take a quick look to the left... our website will be updated soon with full info...

Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook to get late-breaking news and really expensive gifts. Well, not that last one but definitely the first part... We are at 897 likes ...who is going to put us over 900? Please share what we do with your friends! www.facebook.com/pages/Blackstone-River-Theatre/165592431396

  

Hope to see you soon...
Russell Gusetti, Executive Director  

THE BROCK McGUIRE BAND


The Brock McGuire Band, named "Traditional Irish Band of the Decade" by Irish American News, will make their Rhode Island debut in a rare summer concert at Blackstone River Theatre. Residing in County Clare, Ireland, button accordionist Paul Brock and fiddler Manus McGuire are two of Ireland's most celebrated traditional musicians and have been at the forefront of Irish music for many years through their joint work as founding members of the celebrated band Moving Cloud. Manus is also a founding member of Buttons & Bows, and both bands, ranking among Ireland's finest, have helped to introduce international audiences to the virtuosity of their playing.

Performing with The Brock McGuire Band are two other outstanding musicians - Dublin-based Garry O'Meara, a brilliant banjo player, and Denis Carey, an acclaimed pianist, composer and arranger from County Tipperary. Passion and precision, authenticity and diversity are the hallmarks of The Brock McGuire Band in concert. They are steeped in tradition and perform it with abiding respect and creativity. Their tight blend of instruments emphasizes mostly Irish music but also sprinkles in impressive arrangements of American Old Timey, Bluegrass, French-Canadian, and other Celtic traditions. Their new CD collaboration "Green Grass Blue Grass" with 14-time Grammy Award Winner Ricky Skaggs has been hailed as "A Masterpiece" by American Music critic Bill Margeson.   
   
  Event Info
Saturday, August 16, 8 P.M.
$15.00 advance / $18.00 day of show 
at Blackstone River Theatre
549 Broad Street, Cumberland, R.I. 
Call 401-725-9272 for reservations
www.riverfolk.org



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This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by russell@riverfolk.org |  


Blackstone River Theatre | 549 Broad Street | Cumberland | RI | 02864



--
Stephen Sherlock

Chair, Board of Directors (volunteer) for Franklin Food Pantry
Community Information Director (volunteer) for FranklinMAtters.org/